“Swimming Lessons must restart as soon as swimming pools open," says Sarah Keane, Swim Ireland CEO
The enforced global closure of
Swimming Pools and Leisure Facilities has had what can only be described as a
catastrophic impact on the aquatic community, and 14 months into this global
pandemic, it’s not surprising that the Aquatic Industry in Ireland feels like
they are silently drowning.
This is an industry crying out to be
heard, in fear of a lost generation of swimmers and workforce.
Swimming Schools, Swimming Clubs,
Swimming Teachers and Swimming Coaches are waiting on the side-lines, praying
that they will be allowed back into the water as soon as swimming pools open.
And let’s not forget the children and
young people who would have accessed swimming lessons and training sessions,
heading into another summer without those vital lessons and training.
How do we know swimming pools are
safe?
Recent research, commissioned by
Water Babies, Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society, and conducted by
Imperial College London, confirms the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is
incredibly low in aquatic environments.
Virologists proved that the virus is
inactivated in just 30 seconds in the presence of chlorine, under the right
conditions.
Maarten Keuten, researcher at TU
Delft University and Hellebrekers, Netherlands published evidence that air
quality in swimming pools is close to that of outdoor air quality.
The study demonstrates that
ventilation systems with as little as 30% fresh air being circulated, at a
minimum of 80% fan speed, reduces the aerosols in the air as would occur
naturally in the outdoors.
The Health Protection Surveillance
Agency in Ireland (HSPC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) state as FACT:
Swimming in a well-maintained chlorinated pool is safe.
With this evidence and the extensive
frameworks produced by Swim Ireland, addressing operations in swimming pool
activities, in swimming schools and swimming clubs, as well as swimmers and
workforce, it is unquestionable that the swimming pool is just as safe as any
other indoor area, if not safer.
A lost generation of swimmers and
workforce
The cessation of operations across
the country has impacted so many, and now the fear of a lost generation of
swimmers, and a reduction in aquatic professionals is real (in some cases up to
40% of the workforce has already been lost – Water Babies Ireland).
Thousands of people across the island
of Ireland have been unable to access water for essential swimming lessons and
their health and well-being for nine of the past 12 months.
Ultimately, if lessons and clubs
can’t return when swimming pools open the future viability of the industry is
in jeopardy.
Swimming is such a unique sport...
It’s the only sport which caters for
all ages of our population, from cradle to grave.
It’s the only sport which teaches
lifesaving skills.
It’s the only sport that could save
your life, or the life of a loved one.
It’s an activity that for a large
proportion of our population has health and well-being benefits that cannot be
found on dry-land.
So on behalf of our members,
partners, swim schools, teachers, coaches, athletes and swimmers, our message
is simply this:
When swimming pools open: let us
teach, let us train – let us swim
Notes
Let Us Swim Collateral Available to
download HERE (includes video featuring Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane, Swim
Ireland Head of Education Joni Harding, Paul Thompson Founder of Water Babies
& young children eager to return to swimming lessons!)
Trish Mayon Head of Communications
and Sponsorship Liaison
Michael Phelps Teaches Swimming
Most of us can swim, but there’s a
difference between dog paddling on vacation and swimming for fitness. If you’re
looking to unlock the low-impact, calorie-burning benefits of swimming, check
out this course from Michael Phelps on This Skills. The 26-time Olympic gold
medalist will cover everything you need to feel confidant and comfortable
swimming laps. You’ll learn all the basic strokes, plus wall kicking, diving
and other techniques, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the mindset of the
most decorated Olympian of all time.
No comments:
Post a Comment